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Welcome to Amman, Jordan
On the final morning of your “Holy Land” journey, you’ll be escorted to the Allenby Bridge for your border crossing to Jordan. We’ve arranged for VIP services to help make your border crossing as efficient as possible. Your Jordan guide will meet you on Jordanian side and escort you to Amman, where you will check-in at the deluxe W Hotel in the heart of this friendly and vibrant city.
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Jerash, Madaba and Mt. Nebo + Onward to Petra
This morning, you’ll begin your private sightseeing at ancient Jerash, regarded as the best-preserved provincial Roman city in the world. Enter through the imposing triple-arched gateway built to honor Emperor Hadrian and then explore a wealth of ancient sites including the impressive Oval Plaza and Temple of Zeus.
Then travel along the King’s Way to Madaba to admire finely-preserved Byzantine mosaics including an impressive 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Sit down to a congenial lunch of traditional Jordanian dishes at Hikayet Sitti, set in a restored home in the heart of this ancient city. Continue to Mt. Nebo, traditional burial site of Moses, for sweeping views over the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea. Visit the site of a 6th-century Byzantine church and then continue to Petra for a 2-night stay at the deluxe Mövenpick Hotel, ideally located across from the visitor’s entrance. Meals B+L
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Explore Ancient Petra
Mighty Petra was a strategic link in ancient caravan routes and is still stunningly preserved after nearly 2,000 years. Built by the Nabataeans and later abandoned, it was lost to civilization for centuries until its re-discovery by a Swiss adventurer. The entire city is carved into the sides of a deep gorge, and the only entrance is through a narrow opening called the Siq. As your guide leads you into Petra from between these 100-foot cliffs, a remarkable vista unfolds… Temples, tombs and dwellings chiseled out of the solid, rose-hued stone. Your extensive private tour includes the famous Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Temple of the Winged Lion and numerous other ancient monuments.
After sightseeing, head to the Petra Kitchen where you’ll join the Jordanian staff to prepare traditional dishes including a soup, hot and cold appetizers, and a main course. After this memorable hands-on learning experience, you’ll sit down to a congenial dinner featuring the dishes you’ve helped to prepare. Overnight again at the comfortable Mövenpick Hotel. Meals B+D
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Wadi Rum + Back to Amman
Depart Petra after breakfast and journey into the spectacular desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, immortalized in the epic film, Lawrence of Arabia. With an experienced Bedouin driver, you’ll explore in a 4x4 vehicle through this remote region, where sandstone and granite mountains rise sheer-sided from wide sandy valleys to reach imposing heights of 4,000 feet and more. Embark on a guided walk in the Khazali Canyon to see ancient Nabataean inscriptions and drawings. Then join a local Bedouin family for a midday meal of mansaf; regarded as the national dish of Jordan, this delicious entrée features lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce and usually served family-style on a large platter over rice or flat bread. Continue back to the capital and check in again at the W Hotel. Meals B+L
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Depart Amman
You’ll be escorted to the Amman airport today for your homeward journey. Meals B